Shop owners on Kentish Town high street say they’re having to pay employees out of their own pocket to stay afloat as the extended tube closure lowers footfall in the area.
Owner of Bean About Town coffee stand, Anupam Pradhan, told City News his business is “hanging by a nail” after losing “over 50%” of his customers because of the station’s extended closure.
Anupam’s stall has been in the same spot for almost a decade. CREDIT: ANNA SIMPSON/CITY NEWS
He says his main client base used to be commuters, but the station closure and Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) worker strikes over the last six months have meant his regular customers now commute from other nearby stations instead.
The loss of footfall, Anupam says, has forced him to pay his employees with his personal funds so he can keep them on.
Anupam says the vendors in the area have received “no help” from any local governing body, or bigger organisations.
In response, an RMT spokesperson said the claims are “wholly erroneous” and have “no basis in reality”.
Camden Council did not respond to a request for comment.
Another street vendor, florist Natasha Boon, says her business has suffered a “double whammy” because of the length of the station closure.
Natasha’s flower stand before the station closure. CREDIT: NATASHA BOON
She says her business has suffered a financial loss, but her customers have also lost accessibility.
Because of additional roadworks near the tube station, she says customers “not only can’t come by train, but they can’t drive their cars here either.
“We’ve completely been eliminated from footfall, which I would consider at least half my trade.
“My customers can’t get to me anymore. They message me saying ‘We can’t get to you. If I come from Tufnell Park, which way do I come?’
“They’re still trying to come, but the logistics aren’t possible for them.”
Natasha and Anupam believe shops in Tufnell Park – at the top end of Kentish Town high street – have benefitted from the closure.
The inside of Kentish Town station, where the escalators are being replaced. CREDIT: ANNA SIMPSON/CITY NEWS
Why is the station closed?
Transport for London (TfL) says Kentish Town tube station was closed in June 2023 to “upgrade the escalators” and they’re “on track to complete the installation of the new escalators this summer”.
They claim that the delay to the station’s reopening is due to “unrelated work to improve other parts of the station”, which includes replacing wall tiles and deep cleaning parts of the building.
TfL told City News that no compensation scheme would be offered for local businesses around the station.
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HeadlineKentish Town: ‘Lack’ of Council Support Leaves Shopkeepers Paying Employees out of their Own Pocket
Short HeadlineKentish Town shop owners pay wages out of their own pocket
StandfirstKentish Town station was closed in June 2023 for ‘up to a year’, but the closure has been extended to September 2024.
Shop owners on Kentish Town high street say they’re having to pay employees out of their own pocket to stay afloat as the extended tube closure lowers footfall in the area.
Owner of Bean About Town coffee stand, Anupam Pradhan, told City News his business is “hanging by a nail” after losing “over 50%” of his customers because of the station’s extended closure.
Anupam’s stall has been in the same spot for almost a decade. CREDIT: ANNA SIMPSON/CITY NEWS
He says his main client base used to be commuters, but the station closure and Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) worker strikes over the last six months have meant his regular customers now commute from other nearby stations instead.
The loss of footfall, Anupam says, has forced him to pay his employees with his personal funds so he can keep them on.
Anupam says the vendors in the area have received “no help” from any local governing body, or bigger organisations.
In response, an RMT spokesperson said the claims are “wholly erroneous” and have “no basis in reality”.
Camden Council did not respond to a request for comment.
Another street vendor, florist Natasha Boon, says her business has suffered a “double whammy” because of the length of the station closure.
Natasha’s flower stand before the station closure. CREDIT: NATASHA BOON
She says her business has suffered a financial loss, but her customers have also lost accessibility.
Because of additional roadworks near the tube station, she says customers “not only can’t come by train, but they can’t drive their cars here either.
“We’ve completely been eliminated from footfall, which I would consider at least half my trade.
“My customers can’t get to me anymore. They message me saying ‘We can’t get to you. If I come from Tufnell Park, which way do I come?’
“They’re still trying to come, but the logistics aren’t possible for them.”
Natasha and Anupam believe shops in Tufnell Park – at the top end of Kentish Town high street – have benefitted from the closure.
The inside of Kentish Town station, where the escalators are being replaced. CREDIT: ANNA SIMPSON/CITY NEWS
Why is the station closed?
Transport for London (TfL) says Kentish Town tube station was closed in June 2023 to “upgrade the escalators” and they’re “on track to complete the installation of the new escalators this summer”.
They claim that the delay to the station’s reopening is due to “unrelated work to improve other parts of the station”, which includes replacing wall tiles and deep cleaning parts of the building.
TfL told City News that no compensation scheme would be offered for local businesses around the station.
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